Mars Hill's Davis, four BC players make All-SAC

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 9:49 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 9:49 p.m.

Several area football standouts were honored Wednesday as the South Atlantic Conference announced its all-conference teams.

Former East Henderson High standout Shack Davis, a sophomore running back at Mars Hill, earned first-team honors and also won the rushing yards per game average title, finishing the year averaging a league-high 117.3 yards per game.

Brevard College had four make the team, led by freshman quarterback Jaquan Marsh, who was named the SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year. Marsh had 356 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the Tornados' option offense this season. He also had 120 yards passing and a touchdown through the air.

Brevard's Eric Watts was a first-team pick at both tight end and punter. Watts led the conference in punting average with 43.29 yards per punt, which was also sixth in all of Division II. Watts also had 316 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

BC sophomore Michael Gruber was selected as a first-team linebacker after setting a Brevard College single-season record with 117 tackles. He also had two interceptions, four-and-a-half tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. Andrew Velazquez rounded out Brevard's All-SAC selections, earning a spot as a second-team offensive lineman.

This was the first time in SAC history that voting for both of the conference's Player of the Year awards ended in ties. Carson-Newman quarterback Brandon Haywood and Wingate wide receiver Chris Bowden were selected as co-Offensive Players of the Year, while Mars Hill defensive lineman Troy Harris and Catawba linebacker Cory Johnson were picked as the co-Defensive Players of the Year.

Voting for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which recognizes the top offensive lineman in the conference, also ended in a tie this season, going to Lenoir-Rhyne's Myrick and Carson-Newman's Day.

Another familiar face to WNC high school football fans was also honored — Lenoir-Rhyne coach Mike Houston, who was named the South Atlantic Conference's Coach of the Year. The former T.C. Roberson High football coach led Lenoir-Rhyne to its first NCAA Football Championship selection in program history.

<p>Several area football standouts were honored Wednesday as the South Atlantic Conference announced its all-conference teams.</p><p>Former East Henderson High standout Shack Davis, a sophomore running back at Mars Hill, earned first-team honors and also won the rushing yards per game average title, finishing the year averaging a league-high 117.3 yards per game.</p><p>Brevard College had four make the team, led by freshman quarterback Jaquan Marsh, who was named the SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year. Marsh had 356 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the Tornados' option offense this season. He also had 120 yards passing and a touchdown through the air.</p><p>Brevard's Eric Watts was a first-team pick at both tight end and punter. Watts led the conference in punting average with 43.29 yards per punt, which was also sixth in all of Division II. Watts also had 316 receiving yards and three touchdowns. </p><p>BC sophomore Michael Gruber was selected as a first-team linebacker after setting a Brevard College single-season record with 117 tackles. He also had two interceptions, four-and-a-half tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. Andrew Velazquez rounded out Brevard's All-SAC selections, earning a spot as a second-team offensive lineman. </p><p>This was the first time in SAC history that voting for both of the conference's Player of the Year awards ended in ties. Carson-Newman quarterback Brandon Haywood and Wingate wide receiver Chris Bowden were selected as co-Offensive Players of the Year, while Mars Hill defensive lineman Troy Harris and Catawba linebacker Cory Johnson were picked as the co-Defensive Players of the Year.</p><p>Voting for the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which recognizes the top offensive lineman in the conference, also ended in a tie this season, going to Lenoir-Rhyne's Myrick and Carson-Newman's Day.</p><p>Another familiar face to WNC high school football fans was also honored — Lenoir-Rhyne coach Mike Houston, who was named the South Atlantic Conference's Coach of the Year. The former T.C. Roberson High football coach led Lenoir-Rhyne to its first NCAA Football Championship selection in program history.</p>